MUSCATINE, Iowa–Elva and Terrence Watson’s ties to Muscatine run deep. Elva Watson spent her entire childhood growing up in the city, and Terrence Watson spent his early elementary years here. Their ties to basketball go back just as far. Terrence Watson’s father, Spencer Lloyd, coached Muscatine High School’s varsity basketball team at two different times over the past 30 years.
The Watsons moved to Muscatine in 2001 to raise their own family. When their son became interested in basketball, Terrence took the opportunity to coach his YMCA team. His son and his friends loved the experience so much that they didn’t want to stop when the season ended. To keep playing, the kids joined Next Level Muskie Basketball, the official feeding program of the Muscatine High School basketball team, then led by Brandon Welsch. When he left the program in 2016, he invited the Watsons to take over Next Level, and they accepted the challenge.
Since then, the Watsons have continued to pursue Next Level’s mission to “teach, develop, organize, manage and provide young players with the opportunity to learn fundamental basketball skills while instilling life lessons in them.” and values such as character, teamwork, discipline, respect and sportsmanship. They currently offer travel basketball teams for boys in grades three through eight that help them prepare for high school play.
While leading Next Level, Terrence Watson had the opportunity to work closely with his father and form meaningful relationships with the players. “As we continue to add new players and teams, I love watching kids fall in love with basketball,” he shared.
The Watsons have also enjoyed watching the program grow, prosper and develop a positive reputation wherever they play. “I’m very proud of the growth and growth in diversity that you see within our teams,” said Terrance Watson.
“When we attend tournaments, I have tournament directors who go out of their way to complement our teams and our coaches, not only for their game, but also for their sportsmanship and character. I am proud that we represent our community,” added Elva Watson. As longtime members of a close and supportive community, the Watsons appreciate being able to represent it so positively through everything they do.